Hide-stretcher.



C. GARVER.

HIDE STRETGHER.

APPLICATION rum) D20. 26, 1912.

1,084,004. Patented Jan. 13, 1914.

Fig.1

l3 l4 l7 0 i0 i2 6 W MQ ATTORNEY INVENTOR CHARLES GARVER, 0F FORT WAYNE. INDIANA.

HIDE-STRETGHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 26, 1912.

Patented Jan. 13, 1914.

Serial No. 738,568.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES. GARVER, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Fort Wayne, in the county of Allen and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in HideStretchers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in hide stretchers of that class especially designed for stretching and drying the skins of small animals. Such, for example, as musk-rat, mink, etc.

The object of the invention is to afford a stretcher that can be quickly inserted in the hide of the animal, and the hide secured thereon and the frame of the stretcher spread so as to stretch the hide to the desired extent.

Another object of the invention is to afford a stretcher that may readily be adjusted to meet the requirements as to the varying sizes of hides.

These objects are accomplished by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the stretcher complete; and Fig. 2 is a rear view of the adjustable supporting hook, partly cut away.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout both views and referring now to the same: 1 and 2 are frame members, each of which is curved inwardly near its lower end and has a downward extension, 3 and 4 respectively. The members 1 and 2 are oppositely disposed and are connected at the lower extremity of their respective extensions by a pivot 5 so that the members are hinged together thereby. At the upper end of the member 1 is hinged upon a pivot 6 a notched bar 7 which extends through a keeper at the upper end of the member 2.

The keeper is composed of a staple 8 having in connection therewith a plate 9. The bar 7 extends between the legs of the staple and is confined between the plate 9 and the adjacent face of the member 2, but is free to slide lengthwise therein. Upon the up per leg 10 of the staple 8 is pivoted a pawl 11 which is adapted to engage the notches 12 in the bar 7. Also upon the leg 10 of the staple is pivoted a lever 13 having a pawl 14.- pivoted thereon which is adapted also to engage the notches 12 in the bar 7. The keeper 15 is movably mounted upon the bar 7, and a vertically adjustable hook 16 is mounted in said keeper, the shank of said hook having notches 17 adapted to engage the adjacent upper edge of the keeper and thereby hold the hook from downward movement.

In using the invention the frame members 1 and 2 are moved toward each other, the pawls 11 and 14: being lifted from the notches in the bar 7 to permit the action, and the lower portion of the device is thrust through the hide. The upper end of the hide is secured to the hook 16 and drawn upward thereby as the operator sees fit. Then by manipulating the lever 13 to and fro the member 2 will be moved outward and held distended by the pawl 11 which engages in the notches 12 of the bar. The pawl 14 when engaged iusaid notches acts as a fulcrum for the lever 13 and will engage in said notches successively as the lever is moved to and fro and the member 2 moves outwardly. As the frame members 1 and 2 are parted, the hide placed thereon becomes stretched and may be held thereon until it becomes dry. The upper end of the lever 13 is bent over so that the device may be suspended by hooking the upper end of the lever over a suitable support.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the class described, two oppositely disposed frame members pivotally connected at one end; a notched bar hinged to the opposite end of one of said members; a keeper on the opposite end of the other of said members through which the notched bar is adapted to move; a pawl in connection with the keeper adapted to engage the notched bar; and an operating lever having suitable connection with the latter frame member and having a pawl adapted to engage the notched bar and afford a fulcrum for the lever. v j

2. In a device of the class described, two oppositely disposed framemembers having pivotal connection at their lower ends; a transverse bar pivoted to the upper end of one of said frame members and having adjustable sliding connection with the upper In testimon whereof I afix my signature, end of the other of said members; means in presence 0 two witnesses. for adjusting the latter member and secur- V ing the same in connection with the said bar; CHARLES GARVER' vi a sliding keeper on the bar between the Witnesses:

frame members; and a supporting hook ad- FELICE ME'rrLnR,

justably mounted in the keeper. WALTER G. BURNS. 

